0.x Vote
Once and Future (WormxFate)
- Thread starter Aldsan
- Start date
1.1 - The Drawing of the Sword
Voting said:
"Okay, you'll want to ease off the clutch while pressing down the gas at the same time–"
The car jerked forward and then stalled out. I frowned. I had released the clutch a bit too quickly, perhaps.
My driving instructor sighed next to me. "Well, that happens. It's a good thing we're not dealing with any hills yet."
Pressing the clutch down, I restarted the car. This time, I held the clutch a bit longer, allowing the engine to rev before smoothly accelerating forward. I turned the wheel, keeping the car in first gear for the moment as we rolled along the circular track.
Gamemaster said:
"Oh, good job. It usually takes new learners a few tries before they pick it up. Have you driven at all before?"
"I have not," I replied. "However, while it is impossible to avoid error entirely, one should not repeat their mistakes."
"Well, sure, in theory. It's the execution that usually messes people up, Miss Stansfield."
I made a small noise of acknowledgement, shifting the car up into second gear. "That is fair. Once I am more experienced with cars, I would be interested in obtaining my Motorcycle license. Would you be able to assist with that as well?"
"I'd have to run it by your parents, but I don't see the issue myself."
"Thank you," I said, shifting the car into neutral and letting us coast to a stop. I would not turn sixteen until December, so I had some time before I could actually obtain a license, but I would need to log hours spent driving towards my learner's permit in the meantime. "Are we scheduled for the same time next week?"
"We are through the rest of summer. Well, except for your vacation in July, your mom told me you wouldn't be here that week."
My lips thinned. A vacation? How kind of Mother to inform me of our plans, much less ask.
"I am afraid I could not speak to any specific plans we might have yet."
"Hey, no worries. So were your parents picking you up today, or…?"
"My brother. He is on a date at the moment, but will be meeting me once they finish up. I thought I might walk around the area while I waited."
Look, a date is basically a rendezvous. He says he's going to play, but it's a chance for a man to appeal to a woman he likes.
The memory rose as if from a dream. A nostalgic smile crossed my lips. Where had I heard that?
My instructor frowned. "Well… I mean, this neighborhood is probably safe for you, but be careful. Nowhere in the city is completely safe these days. You're always welcome to just hang out at the course until your brother gets here."
"That will not be necessary. I have been taking self-defense courses recently as well – I am confident I can at least run away should I need to."
My instructor frowned, but it wasn't untrue. After the incident with the hooligan at the mall, I had spoken to Father about the issue. The city was dangerous, there was no getting away from that fact. Twice, I had been in danger in a space that should have been safe. I needed to know how to defend myself.
It had taken more convincing than I expected, but he had agreed in the end. Moreover, I had excelled in the class thus far. It was simple. Use my full body to generate power behind my strikes. Use their center of gravity against them. Lock their joints. It felt familiar – just unpracticed.
Leaving the driving course, I stopped briefly in the building's lobby to collect my things – a blue and gold leather jacket (Arcadia's colors, though the jacket lacked any sort of accompanying logo) and a baseball cap. I tucked my hair into the hat, letting it stream out the back in a ponytail, quickly sent a text message off to Dean, and stepped out into the bright sunlight of the summer afternoon, a pair of tinted glasses hiding my eyes.
The neighborhood itself, while not quite as affluent as the Boardwalk, was still fairly upscale and well kept, close enough to downtown that it hadn't suffered from the rot and decay that afflicted much of the northern half of the city. Most of the buildings were red brick and white wood, the sort of homes and shops that wouldn't have looked out of place constructed in the 50's. Small coffee shops, cafes, and bookstores dotted the street.
I settled on a bench and pulled out my phone, flicking through to the post I had made on the local boards of Parahumans Online. There were threats in my city, and the best way to educate myself was to ask for the wisdom of others. In short, the outlook was not particularly positive.
The city was infested with gangs.
The first, and most notable perhaps was the Empire Eighty-Eight. A collection of white supremacists and open neo-Nazis. It was filled with the sort of filth who preyed on the weak and acted as if it were a virtue. They crowed about protecting good, hard-working American citizens, but that included only those who agreed with them. If you were too Black, too Asian, too Jewish, too Foreign, too Disabled, too Liberal, or just plain too different from them, then you were a target to be eliminated.
Their greatest rival was, and I felt my mouth twisting in distaste just reading the name, the Azn Bad Boyz. I suppose it was too much to hope that criminals would have any sense of class. Regardless, the Azn Bad Boyz were a more recent gang, having consolidated out of a number of smaller gangs a mere two years ago. Unlike the Empire, which worshiped an ideology, the Azn Bad Boyz were held together almost entirely by force of will of the man who had created the gang.
Lung.
A parahuman who had made a splash when he entered the local cape scene by reportedly engaging with the entire local Protectorate at once and emerging victorious. Since then, there had been little success in dislodging him.
Then there were the smaller gangs. Drug pushers, street gangs, and mercenaries for hire. The East Side Kings, the Archer's Bridge Merchants, the Cobras. Most of them were two-bit players at best. An odd stand out was a group of mercenaries that operated downtown – apparently they had access to tinkertech equipment and offered protection services for hire. No one quite knew who their backer was, though they must have one given the expense of their equipment.
Gamemaster said:
Letting out a soft sigh, I closed my phone again and looked up at the sky. A blue, cloudless expanse hung above me, stretching on as far as I could see. So far, yet there was a feeling as if I could reach up and touch it. And perhaps, if I reached up, someone else's hand would as well.
Knowing it was impossible, yet reaching all the same.
For a moment, the city fell away. I stood in a grassy field, the same blue sky stretching endlessly above, a forest in the distance. I stared out. Waiting. Waiting for something.
I began to lift my hand, only to retract it. My chest felt strangely tight and I could not say why. Lowering my head into my hands, I let a shuddering breath tear through me. What was wrong with me? Why did I feel this way?
Why did I feel this yearning within me?
A sound eventually tore me from my thoughts. A small, plaintive meow. Glancing down, I looked at the gray tabby that had joined me on the bench.
"Ah–"
The cat stepped forward to bump its head against my arm and I smiled, tracing my thumb gently behind its ear.
"Well, hello there. Aren't you a handsome fellow?" The cat purred, tilting its head up to allow me to scratch under its chin. Oddly enough, considering how sociable he was, the cat did not wear a collar. "What are you doing here?"
Gamemaster said:
The cat provided no answer, of course. Instead, he spun a circle, brushing his side up against me, his tail tickling at my nose. A soft giggle escaped me and I leaned in to grab him, pulling him up onto my lap. He stepped back and forth, kneading his paws, before finally settling down, my fingers tracing along his back.
What a friendly child. I considered briefly whether I should name him. It was possible that he already had one. Possible even, that he already had an owner. He was skinny, perhaps a bit underfed, but hardly starving.
"No, better that I not get overly attached." I would not take this child away from whatever home he had here.
Regretfully, I pulled the cat from my lap and walked away. It was with some amusement that I noted the cat trotting after me, dogging at my heels. A stubborn little thing. Well, if he was that insistent…
The stench of blood and a grunt of pain brought me to a stop. I turned, looking down a narrow alley to where three men surrounded another. One swung a bat, and the beset man fell to the ground, his knee shattered.
"I told you what would happen if you didn't pay up, didn't I? You were lucky we were even letting you operate down here – not like we need businesses owned by heebs in this area."
"I'm not –"
"What, got something to say, Jew?"
Another of the thugs lashed out with his foot, catching the man in the ribs.
"I was trying to pay," the man wheezed. "Sales have been down this month."
"Always the same story with your type." The thug lifted his foot and stomped down on the man's hand.
My jaw clenched. This was wrong. These men, abominations.
I stepped into the alley, heart pounding my chest. This could not continue.
Gamemaster said:
"Stop!"
"The fuck do you want, girl?"
"Step away from that man. Now."
One of the thugs rolled his eyes. "Run along, girl, before you get hurt."
"Disperse, or I will make you do so."
"God save me from children who want to play at being heroes. Jake? Grab her and hold her down or something. It's fine if you rough her up a little, but try not to hurt her too bad."
The man who had been singled out shrugged and stepped forward. He looked… surprisingly normal. Brown hair, wide shoulders. He looked about college-aged, but with the sort of build that suggested he could have played football. He gave me an apologetic smile. "Sorry about this. Really, you still could just run away, save yourself the trouble."
"I refuse."
"Right. Then, I suppose we're doing this."
Battle Rolls said:
The man, Jake, lunged at me, but I was prepared for it. He wasn't using his fists, just trying to grab me, but that was dangerous enough in and of itself. I wasn't particularly large or strong. If I was pinned, I would have difficulty escaping.
Instead, I ducked under his lunge, my hand darting into my jacket pocket. When I had started my self-defense lessons, I hadn't relied solely upon learning how to punch and kick. Instead, I wrapped my hand around the handle of my telescopic baton, flicking it out to whack Jake's ribs as he passed.
He let out a wheeze, stumbling a few steps before spinning around to glare at me. Jeers came in from the sidelines, his friends taunting him.
"Come on, Jake! You gonna take that from a girl?"
"Show her what a real man is made of!"
"God, shut up both of you." Jake put a fist into his palm, cracking his knuckles. "Look, girl. You keep this up and I will have to hurt you. I'd suggest you stop now."
"I would offer you the same courtesy. Leave now, and I will let you go in peace."
"Well, I warned you."
Jake charged, and once again I weaved beneath his blow to deliver one of my own. It seemed he had learned from last time however. Even as I evaded him, he brought his arms down to guard himself, protecting himself from a second blow to the ribs. Not entirely unintelligent then. I would have to vary things up somewhat.
This time, I attacked first, aiming high with my baton. He flinched and stepped back, not trained to ignore that primal response that occurs when you see something moving towards your face at high speeds. He tried to raise his arms to block at the last second, but was too late and my baton cracked him across the skull.
He fell to a heap on the ground.
I looked to the two remaining, who stared back at me wide-eyed.
"Did this bitch just kill Jake?"
"I dunno. Maybe just knocked him unconscious–"
"No, head injuries like that are really dangerous. God, we'll need to take him to a hospital. Fuck it. Let's fuck her up and get out of here."
Both men advanced on me, bats slung over their shoulders. My lips tightened. It was one thing fighting one on one against a man with no weapon, but the odds with multiple opponents were significantly worse.
Battle Rolls said:
The man on my right swung and I spun into it, raising a hand to slap the bat from below as I passed under it, throwing its trajectory off. I twisted, my baton swinging around to shatter the man's knee. He brought his bat up in both hands, as if to defend himself from my follow up attack, but I simply kicked through the wood and slammed my foot into his face.
Unfortunately, this left me open to his ally. Pain seared across my back as a bat caught me across my shoulders. I went stumbling for a few steps before I managed to steady myself and turn, wildly swinging a counter attack that came nowhere close to my opponent.
Damn it. I was lucky I was wearing my jacket. That had hurt even through the extra padding.
"Shit! Ray! Who the hell are you, girl?"
"You are asking that rather late, are you not?"
"Ugh." The final thug spit off to the side and widened his legs, holding the bat in both hands. Was he… Was he going to try and hit me as if I were a baseball? That stance was all wrong for actual combat. A part of me felt distinctly offended. I walked forward to the edge of his range and let him swing, simply leaning back a bit so that the bat would bypass me. Unfortunately, he was quicker to recover than I anticipated, and I had to abandon my follow up attack to gain distance again.
Still, the man was clearly nervous. The narrow passage of the alleyway did not allow for me to actively circle around him, but I paced back and forth, watching his eyes follow me. When I finally struck, it was faster than he could follow.
My baton found his elbow and he cried out, his hand reflexively loosening on the bat. He tried to attack me one-handed, but I didn't allow it, already circling behind him to sweep his feet out from under him. One final blow to the head and he was out.
In the aftermath, I stood there, panting, staring at what I'd done.
I had beaten three men, three armed men, into the ground. I'd never fought before in my life. I'd had a grand total of two weeks of self-defense classes. This shouldn't have been possible. What had I even been thinking?
Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I turned away from them and kneeled to attend to the man they had been attacking. He was broken, bruised, and bloodied – but still conscious. He turned his eyes up to me as I approached.
"Damn. You wiped the floor with them."
I gave a small smile at the comment. "It was my pleasure to do so. Are you okay?"
He shook his head, but fished a phone out of his pocket after a moment. "If you could call the ambulance, I'd appreciate it. Cops too, I suppose."
Nodding, I took the phone, dialing the number in.
"Hello, 911, where's your emergency?"
"There are four men badly injured in an alleyway near Miller and Rockland. They require immediate medical assistance."
"What was your name, Miss?"
Gamemaster said:
I glanced down at the bodies of the men I had just finished injuring quite severely. This… probably would not be a good thing to admit to. "My name is not important. Was there any additional information you needed?"
"Are you injured at all, Miss?"
"No. I am fine."
"Alright. I've sent the message out to Dispatch, so they should be on their way. Just hang tight, okay?"
"Thank you."
Well, I suppose that was my cue to leave if I wished to remain anonymous. I turned back to the injured man, handing him his phone. "Will you be able to manage if I leave?"
"Yeah, I think so. They got a few good hits in, but I can wait for the paramedics. Does my heroine have a name?"
"None that I would like associated with this, I think. I suppose if the police ask, you can call me X or some such."
"A woman of mystery, huh?" The man laughed, but it quickly turned into a wheeze. "Well, Miss X, best of luck out there."
"Thank you." I smiled softly and placed a hand on his shoulder before turning to leave, a strange sense of pride welling up within me.
A Hero, hm? A person who would save everyone that they could see. An impossible dream, but I smiled nonetheless. I might not be a cape, but why should that stop me from being a hero?
Of course, if I was going to do that and retain my anonymity, I would need a disposable phone. I could not rely on victims always giving me theirs to call in with. Something to consider, perhaps.
Gamemaster said:
Gamemaster said:
You don't know how tempted I was to make a 'Stop right there, criminal scum,' joke. Also, you guys got incredibly lucky with your combat rolls. Especially taking one of the teamed pair out on round 1 with the exact damage you needed to deal a major wound. Nuts. Anyways,
It is June of 2010.
The Mysterious Heroine, X, has had her first fight. How will she proceed?
[ ] [Heroism] Design a name and costume.
>You can't just be X forever.
[ ] [Heroism] You took that bat hit strangely well. Maybe you should check yourself for powers?
>There's no way this can go poorly. At least you're smart enough not to jump off a building to see if you can fly.
[ ] [Heroism] Look into types of Parahumans.
>If you're going out doing hero things, you're bound to run into them at some point. Knowing the difference between a brute and a breaker will probably be good.
[ ] [Heroism] Study your first aid.
>You might need to treat injured people in the future.
Your mother is dragging you to a Gala. What do you fill time with while there? (This is in addition to any events that may occur while at the gala).
[ ] [Gala] Gossip
[ ] [Gala] Flirt
[ ] [Gala] Indulge in good food.
While at the gala, you're seated with a group to socialize with. Who are you with?
[ ] [Socialize] The Anders
>Theo is a bit quiet, but not too bad for company.
[ ] [Socialize] The Alcotts
>Your brother might be friends with Rory Christner, but you wound up shoved to a table with his cousin instead.
[ ] [Socialize] The Dallons
>Mostly just Vicky and Amy here at your brother's invitation.
[ ] [Socialize] The Mystery
>You're seated with someone you don't know. She looks about your age, at least.
A strange cat has followed you home. What do you name him? (The quest master reserves the right to Veto).
[ ] [Cat] (Write-In)
Not immediately relevant, as you don't have the equipment yet, but something to keep in mind for the future. What will your main fighting style be? Note: Fighting style will shift depending on situation and equipment (i.e., even if you are two-handed, you will take a shield out if there's bullets flying), this is just your 'default.'
[ ] [Equipment] Two-Handed
>Deal an additional 2d6 damage, but can't gain the benefits of a shield.
[ ] [Equipment] One-Handed
>Deal less damage, but gain the benefits of a shield.
It's summer and you've got some free time to spend between parties and heroics. How do you spend it?
[ ] [Free Time] (Write-In)
Rules: Feasts
Hello everyone, I'm here today to discuss another part of the Pendragon ruleset: Feasts!
Now, in actual tabletop Pendragon, Feasts act as a sort of competition between players to accrue Geniality (aka, how much everyone at the party likes you). There's a lot of opportunities to accrue checks in various traits and skills in the process and the player with the highest Geniality at the end of the night gains a bonus Glory reward.
Obviously, that doesn't work here, we're playing as a single character. So, instead, I'll be pulling various feast cards for the events of the feast and giving out a reward depending on what your Geniality is at the end. This will be mostly automated on the quest master side of things, so the main choice you'll have is what to fill your time with between events.
Gossiping, Flirting, Indulging, or Gaming.
Gossiping uses Intrigue to find out the latest news about the city. A successful roll will give you a check to Intrigue and some news about the city that may or may not be useful. If you choose Gossiping, you may write-in if you are looking to find out specific information – though, there is no guarantee that the people you talk to you will know or want to share that specific information with you.
Flirting uses the Flirting skill to engage in conversation with a character, with a successful roll giving a check to Flirting. This isn't necessarily initiated by Elaine, it could simply be entertaining someone else who is interested in her instead. If choosing this option, you may write-in if you're interested in flirting with a specific character.
Indulging rolls Temperate, gaining a check on a success, or gaining a check to Indulgent on a failure. In some parties, alcohol may become available, at which point the possibility of becoming drunk also arises.
Gaming rolls your Strategy, gaining a check on a success. This will not be available at every party.
Now, in actual tabletop Pendragon, Feasts act as a sort of competition between players to accrue Geniality (aka, how much everyone at the party likes you). There's a lot of opportunities to accrue checks in various traits and skills in the process and the player with the highest Geniality at the end of the night gains a bonus Glory reward.
Obviously, that doesn't work here, we're playing as a single character. So, instead, I'll be pulling various feast cards for the events of the feast and giving out a reward depending on what your Geniality is at the end. This will be mostly automated on the quest master side of things, so the main choice you'll have is what to fill your time with between events.
Gossiping, Flirting, Indulging, or Gaming.
Gossiping uses Intrigue to find out the latest news about the city. A successful roll will give you a check to Intrigue and some news about the city that may or may not be useful. If you choose Gossiping, you may write-in if you are looking to find out specific information – though, there is no guarantee that the people you talk to you will know or want to share that specific information with you.
Flirting uses the Flirting skill to engage in conversation with a character, with a successful roll giving a check to Flirting. This isn't necessarily initiated by Elaine, it could simply be entertaining someone else who is interested in her instead. If choosing this option, you may write-in if you're interested in flirting with a specific character.
Indulging rolls Temperate, gaining a check on a success, or gaining a check to Indulgent on a failure. In some parties, alcohol may become available, at which point the possibility of becoming drunk also arises.
Gaming rolls your Strategy, gaining a check on a success. This will not be available at every party.
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1.2 - The Drawing of the Sword
Voting said:
Hazel eyes met mine. Slowly, I reached out, stroking my thumb along the cat's forehead, listening to it purr in contentment.
After I had vacated the alley, I had swiftly left to meet with Dean elsewhere, only to be surprised when I realized that the cat had followed me the entire way. Clearly, he was a stubborn sort. Regardless, if he wished to be with me so dearly, then I would not deny him. I took him with me.
Needless to say, my parents had not been enthused to discover that I brought a stray home with me. He was friendly enough however, and won them over fairly quickly.
"Kay."
The cat perked his head up, acknowledging the name I had provided him with. A small smile crossed my lips.
"Hello Kay."
I poked a finger to Kay's nose and he turned his head, rubbing a cheek against my finger, before abruptly jumping down from my desk and padding out of the room, apparently finished with me for the moment. A disappointed sound escaped me, but I allowed him his escape unmolested.
Well, as long as he enjoyed his new environment, I hardly had cause to object.
Wandering over to my bed, I allowed myself to collapse into the mass of stuffed animals that I had piled upon its surface. I winced as one dug into my back, shifting to get more comfortable before finally settling in.
Hm.
Yes.
I could get used to this. I had many doubts about my previous self's taste from a year past (why was everything in the room pink?), but I could agree with her in this. Surrounded on all sides by fluffy creatures – Truly, there was no greater sense of comfort than this.
Alas, it could not last forever.
Eventually, my phone's alarm sounded. Unfortunately, I had somewhere to be this evening. I had managed to forestall any social events after I had first woken up by claiming health issues, but now that I had been given a clean bill of health, my mother would have her due. It was time that I attended the latest of her galas.
Rousing myself, I sighed and moved to the closet to begin changing into my dress for the evening, only to glance in the mirror and see the dark, misshapen bruise that marred my shoulders. My first choice of dress had an open back. That would not be an option. I would have to find another.
I hovered briefly over a black dress before rejecting it. I knew from experience that black had a tendency to make me look washed out and pale. A white dress went quicker – beautiful, but too much for the size of the event. There would be a certain amount of extravagance, of course, but it was still a relatively minor event all told. There was such a thing as overdoing it. Pink – No. A yellow dress – well, that wasn't so bad, but it perhaps had the opposite problem of the white. Too close to being a sundress, too casual for the gala.
Eventually, I found another blue dress, this one running all the way up to the neck. It was sleeveless and clung a bit too tight on the hips – I would need something new in the future – but it would do for the evening.
As I had once before, my fingers began tying my hair up. It was a style I had never once worn before I had been rendered comatose. I could not recall having seen it within any fashion magazine, nor had any of my friends ever used it. Yet, my hands steadily wove the braid as if it were the most natural thing in the world. As if I had done this every day of my life.
I stopped and closed my eyes, hiding the stranger that stared at me from within the mirror. I allowed my mind to calm, the world falling away until only I was left.
Who was I?
I remembered growing up wealthy and wanting for naught.
I remembered growing up poor, an orphan adopted by my family.
I remembered going shopping at the Boardwalk almost daily.
I remembered when going to market was an event to mark the season, with festivals and games being held in celebration.
I remembered Christmas Eve service, traditional hymns jazzed up by our youth band.
I remembered the lonely tolling of bells and my hand wrapping around the hilt of a sword. Snow dusted the ground and my breath frosted in the air. Outside, the clamor of men rushing to and fro filled the town, but here, in this old churchyard, there was a strange calmness, as if the entire world held its breath.
"You should think this through before you grab that."
A vision was shown. A miserable fate. A miserable death. The failure of a kingdom.
"--No. Many people were smiling. I do not believe it will be a mistake."
The sword was pulled forth.
A sharp gasp escaped me, my throat clenching in sudden dread. Wetness stained my cheeks.
"A miracle has a price. In exchange, you will lose the thing most important to you."
What had that been? I lifted trembling fingers, tracing the outline of my face upon the mirror's glass. What were these memories of a life I had not lived? What had I gained from taking that sword? What had I lost?
Why did my heart feel as if it were tearing in two?
Gamemaster said:
"The Lord is my light and my salvation," I whispered, the prayer and psalm forming upon my lips. "Whom shall I fear?"
A guilty part of myself reminded me that I had not returned to church since that singular service a few weeks ago. Yet, now I called upon God when I needed solace. Rank hypocrisy. Still, I called out all the same.
"Lord, please guide me in this hour. Please – tell me what is happening to me."
Silence answered me.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Dean! Your hair is a mess!"
"What? No, it's normal."
"Tsk–" Our mother combed at Dean's hair with her fingers, trying to straighten it out to how she liked it. "We're already running late too."
"I hear it's fashionable these days," our father joked.
"Don't you start–"
"It's fine, Mom. Really." Dean cut in.
I cleared my throat, watching how they both jumped as though they had been unaware of my presence up until that point. "Who is hosting tonight's event? I do not believe you told me earlier."
"The Christeners – It's just a minor fundraising thing, getting ready for the election in November, you know." My mother frowned at me and reached out to tug at my dress. "This dress won't do at all, Ellie. It's so plain – What were you thinking?"
My lips tightened, but my father rescued me before I could reply.
"Oh, stop hassling the kids, Helen. Like you said, we're running late. It's not like there's any time to change."
"Fine. I suppose you're right. Are you both ready to go?"
"About that," Dean said, "I was going to drive separately, go pick Vicky up. I invited her to come as my date tonight. Ellie, you're welcome to come with – I know Vicky's missed you."
"I–" The question was, did I want to see her? The last time I had – a memory flashed by, cacophonous noise ringing in my ears. No, I would have to see her eventually either way. I could manage a car ride at the very least. "Very well, Dean."
"Great!" My father chimed in. "We'll meet you there then. Drive safe, alright?"
"Of course," Dean smiled sunnily and we waved our parents off before walking our way down to his BMW. I slid my fingers across the smooth paint, and for a moment, I was seized by a strange impulse to take the wheel myself, certain that I could see us there. I pushed it aside and strapped myself into the passenger seat.
As we pulled out of the driveway, Dean glanced over at me. "Hey. Is everything alright?"
I blinked and looked back at him. "Yes? Why would it not be?"
"No reason. Just… I know we haven't gotten to spend as much time together as I'd like since you've woken up. I've had my work, and you were busy studying to get caught up. You know I'm here for you if you need me though, right?"
"I know," I said, a feeling of warmth spreading in my chest. "Thank you, Dean."
We spent the next few streets in companionable silence, broken only by the music on the radio. I turned to the window, watching the city go by. After a time, I asked, "Is it just Victoria joining us? Or will her family be coming as well?"
"She mentioned she might try to bring Amy along, get her out of the house."
"Amy never was the most social person."
"She wasn't, but…" Dean grimaced and scratched at her cheek. "She became something of a shut-in after the incident at the mall. Wouldn't leave her room except to go to school."
"Why?" I asked, furrowing my brow.
Dean looked over at me, meeting my gaze. "Guilt, I would assume."
If she had not spoken up. If she had not made the robber lash out against her. If she had simply allowed the injustice in front of her to continue for the sake of safety. If and if and if – I may not have been rendered comatose.
"Ridiculous." The thought had occurred to me more than once since I had awoken. I rejected it as I had every other time. "She is not at fault."
Dean glanced away. "Emotions like that aren't always logical, Ellie. Sometimes, even if someone knows intellectually that it's wrong, they'll still run away or hide or even lash out."
What could I say against that?
I mulled over the problem, still not coming to any sort of solution by the time we pulled into the cul-de-sac where the Dallon household sat. It was a two-story home with a well-kept lawn, next to a series of near identical homes. Nice, certainly, if nowhere near so large as ours.
Gamemaster said:
Dean circled the car to open my door for me, and I stepped out, only to pause. I felt eyes upon me. I looked up and caught sight of brown hair through one of the windows. Amy. Once she realized I had spotted her, she quickly withdrew, the curtains falling to hide her from me.
So. It was to be like that then.
I strode up to the front door and knocked, Dean hurrying in my wake. Carol Dallon answered the door.
Victoria's mother was a severe looking woman, with a sharp jaw, a narrow nose, and her hair cut into a short bob. Her perpetual frown, at least every time that I had met her, did nothing to soften that impression. She spared me a glance before glaring at Dean. "Hello Ellie. Dean."
"Hey," Dean said, giving a bright smile in response. It had to be intentional. There was no way he was actually oblivious to the way Mrs. Dallon was looking at him.
"I'll let Vicky know you're here," Mrs. Dallon said shortly. "You know the rules?"
"No hanky-panky and I promise I'll have her back by ten."
"Good. Ellie, glad to see you back on your feet."
"Thank you. I am glad to be back upon them."
Mrs. Dallon walked upstairs and Victoria came flying down naught a minute later. Literally flying; her feet did not touch the staircase. Unlike me, she had overdressed for the occasion. A beautiful white dress hugged her body, the shimmering fabric cascading down like waves. Her hair caught the light, her smile brightened the room.
"Ellie!" She smiled widened and she rushed in to wrap her arms around me. I stiffened at the sudden contact, before slowly relaxing, returning the hug. "I'd heard from Dean, but it's so good to see you again."
"Yes. I am glad you are doing well, Victoria."
"Victoria? Since when do you call me by my full name like that?"
"Is it an issue?" I asked, frowning.
"No. Of course not. Just…" She looked at my brother. I couldn't see what gesture he made in return, but her hug tightened ever so slightly before letting go. "Well, come on, let's get going."
We walked back to the car and I moved into the rear seat, allowing Victoria the front to sit with Dean. As the car pulled out of the driveway, I shot one final look at the house and the face lurking in the upstairs window.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
Party said:
"Dean! Victoria! I'm glad you both could make it. And Ellie, of course. It's been awhile since I saw you at one of these."
"It has been some time since I was able to," I answered. "Thank you for having me, Rory."
"Not at all." Rory Christner, the mayor's son, was a tall, broad-shouldered young man. He grinned and reached out to pat Dean on the shoulder. "Come on in."
Thus, did the night begin. We went to Rory's father first, and I was made to endure a conversation about the upcoming elections and who they thought would win. I managed to understand that he was confident in his own chances, but that there was a good chance the incumbent sheriff would be losing his position. At some point, I felt my attention start to drift before I managed to excuse myself.
Unfortunately, a friend of my mother's ambushed me after that. It was all the usual platitudes. How happy she was to see me, how big I had gotten. I'm not sure she even realized I had been injured until recently. She asked how I was doing in school and if I was dating any boys.
I gave her a tight smile. "I am sorry. However, I really must use the restroom."
"Oh, alright. Do take care, dear."
"Thank you."
I managed to escape all of two steps before my mother came looking for me. "Ellie, there you are. I was just telling Rory here all about how well you were doing getting caught up for school. Tell him about how hard you've been studying."
I glanced at Rory, who mostly looked uncomfortable for me and as though he didn't want to be there. "I don't think there is much to tell. I did well enough for Arcadia's placement test. Excuse me, I really need to sit down."
Extricating myself from unwanted conversation once again, I finally managed to flee and sit down at a table, rubbing at the bridge of my nose. It was strange. I had enjoyed these parties in the past. Now they just felt tedious. Well, if I was to be trapped here, I could at least enjoy the food. I began stacking my plate with cheese and salami.
"Well, someone certainly has an appetite."
"It has been a long evening," I said blandly, not pausing in my consumption as I glanced at the unfamiliar voice. A young girl, perhaps about my age, sat across from me. She had tied her long, strawberry-blonde hair back with a ribbon in a way that seemed as if it were meant to draw attention to her piercing blue eyes. "I do not believe we have met."
"We haven't." She smiled and I tilted my head. There was a faint accent to her words, trained almost to no longer be there. "I'm Erin Archelot."
"Elaine Stansfield."
Erin giggled. "I know. A lot of people have been talking about your miraculous awakening, you know?"
"Is that why you are here then? To confirm the rumors?"
"Of course not," Erin said, shaking her head. "We're both going to be attending Arcadia in the fall. I was hoping we could be friends."
Gamemaster said:
"I do not see why not," I said, reaching for a piece of salami, only to find I had eaten the entire tray. I frowned and began on the lemon bars instead. "We will be in the same year together then?"
Erin clapped her hands together. "We will! And I'm glad to hear it. I was there last year too, but didn't really manage to connect with many people. Everyone seems intimidated for some reason."
"I cannot imagine why. You seem likeable enough."
"Well, who knows? My Mom was a bit famous way back when, but that was years ago."
I raised an eyebrow curiously. "Oh? What for?"
"I guess she was a famous singer back in the day?" Erin shrugged. "She's more on the production side of things nowadays though. She's here at the party, if you want to meet her."
"Perhaps another time," I said, taking a slice of cake. "Were you planning to follow in her footsteps then? Become a singer yourself?"
"I'm sure she would like me to, but no. It's a bit too much spotlight for me. I prefer to stay a bit more behind the scenes."
"Understandable. I am sure being gawked at like that must be unpleasant."
"Hmm, well, something like that, I suppose." She smiled pleasantly and took a cookie for herself.
"What is it that you do want to do with yourself, in that case?"
"I'm not entirely sure. Maybe I'll become a wizard, like that guy over in Chicago."
"Wizard?"
"You know, Myrddin?" Erin stared at me a moment and must have realized that I did not know who she was speaking about. "Wow, you must really not watch the news or anything. He's pretty famous. Not Triumvirate tier or anything, but still."
"I have never been particularly interested in parahuman culture," I demurred, though something about the name tickled at my mind. "I do not imagine that wizardry is the easiest of vocations to enter."
"No, I suppose it isn't," Erin said with a faint smile. "I suppose I'll just have to keep thinking about it then."
I arched an eyebrow, but she simply stayed silent, nibbling on her cookie until the moment had passed.
Then I was simply left with awkward silence, not sure how to advance the conversation once more. It was almost a relief when Dean came over to inform me that he and Vicky were leaving.
"I suppose that is my call for the evening. It was a pleasure meeting you, Erin. Hopefully, I can do so again soon."
Erin smiled brightly at me. "Yeah, I hope so too. Maybe we can hang out sometime before school starts."
"I would like that," I said simply and returned her smile before turning away.
Gamemaster said:
The night had been long. Soon, the morning would come, and with it my plans for a new day. During my fight in the alley, I had taken our three grown men. I had taken a hit across the back with a bat and kept fighting. However I looked at it, that was not normal. Something was odd with me – not just my mind, but my body as well.
It was time I found out what it was.
Gamemaster said:
Moving sucks. The end.
I'm not really happy with the latter half of this chapter, but I was tired of hanging onto it and wanted to push it out, so here we go. The vote of Dallons vs Mystery was pretty close, so I wound up giving a bit of both. The investigate your powers bit is pushed back to next time, but will be included in more detail.
Not happy with how the Feast rules worked in converting to a quest format. I think I'll probably scrap them and run something a bit simpler for future occasions.
I have decided to rename Renown to Glory. This is what it originally was in Pendragon. I had changed it to better suit cape life, where fame is important, but I'm shifting that because of the next point – I have also decided to allow for the collection of Glory in your private life. You won't earn as much as you would through combat, but this way you're not limited to only combat as a collection source.
It is June of 2010.
Choose someone to spend time with:
[ ] [Social] Dean Stansfield
[ ] [Social] Victoria Dallon
[ ] [Social] Amy Dallon
[ ] [Social] Chelsea and Morgan
[ ] [Social] Erin Archelot
[ ] [Social] (Write-In)
Choose an activity to participate in:
[ ] [Activity] Sports
>You could use the exercise.
[ ] [Activity] Charity
>You could do volunteer work.
[ ] [Activity] Summer Classes
>You may have gotten into Arcadia, but it wouldn't hurt to get caught up more.
[ ] [Activity] Modeling
>It could earn you some money on the side if you do well.
[ ] [Activity] Religion
>Visit churches to try and find a new one.
[ ] [Activity] (Write-In)
Choose a way to advance yourself as a hero.
[ ] [Heroism] Design a name and costume.
>You can't just be X forever.
[ ] [Heroism] Look into types of Parahumans.
>If you're going out doing hero things, you're bound to run into them at some point. Knowing the difference between a brute and a breaker will probably be good.
[ ] [Heroism] Study your first aid.
>You might need to treat injured people in the future.
[ ] [Heroism] Look for trouble.
>You're not a hero if you aren't actually going out and saving people, right?
[ ] [Heroism] (Write-In)
1.3 - The Drawing of the Sword
Voting said:
My fist slammed into foam. I followed it up with a flurry of blows, exerting as much strength as I could. The self-defense class I had signed up for did not focus on fighting and instead concentrated on methods to escape and run away. That did not mean we hadn't learned the basics. Enough that I knew how to throw a punch at least.
The punching bag rocked back a scant few inches. I think it was safe to say that I did not have any sort of super strength.
I let out a sigh and used the back of my arm to wipe sweat from my brow. I had already tried a few other tests just to see if I had any physical enhancements. I measured how high I could jump, how much weight I could lift, how fast I could run. Our home's personal gym did not lack for equipment.
The only thing left was to test my durability.
I picked up a thin sewing needle from where I had left it nearby. The prospect of injuring myself was not a particularly appealing one, but this seemed the easiest way. I drew my lips tight and pressed the point against the pad of my finger. There was a moment of resistance before blood began welling up. Nothing that could not be explained by my hesitance and the needle not being quite sharp enough.
Many people were smiling.
It did not matter. I did not need powers to try and save people. It was reckless, perhaps, but… I could envision the task ahead. That which I could envision, I could make reality. There was already someone close to home who I could help, after all.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Thank you for having me."
"Hey, I'm happy to have you," Victoria said, smiling brightly. "Can I get you anything? Snacks, a drink?"
"No, I do not require anything," I replied, glancing around the Dallons' living room. It was quite a bit smaller than our own, but it was still nice. Family photos lined the walls, the furniture was well-made, a large TV hung on the far wall. It was only on a second examination that the oddities began to stand out.
The doors had reinforced frames and heavy-duty locks. Thick curtains lined each of the windows, ready to be drawn and hide the inhabitants from the outside. A security system was primed and needed a code imputed every time the door was opened. This was a home of people who expected danger.
"Oh, okay. Well, make yourself at home. I was a little surprised that you asked to come over – I don't usually see you unless Dean brings you along. Are you doing okay, by the way?"
"I am doing as well as could be expected, I suppose. There has certainly been some need to adjust, both physically and mentally, but I have been doing my best to manage it."
"Well, if you need anything, let me know, okay? Homework advice, making friends, hanging boys from trees – whatever you need, Big Sis Vicky is on the case." She grinned brightly and winked at me, patting her bicep.
A smile played about my lips. "Well, perhaps I shall take you up on that at some point."
Victoria put a hand over her mouth and faked a gasp. "A month awake and you're already getting back into the dating pool? Who's the lucky boy?"
"Who said anything about a boy?"
"Lucky girl?"
"Yes, though not in the sense that you are thinking." I let my smile fade, the humor of the moment fading. "I was hoping to speak with Amy."
Victoria froze, her feet slowly lowering to the ground. "Really? I mean, that's great if so, I just didn't think the two of you ever got along much."
"We have not in the past. Regardless, I would like to change that."
Victoria studied me, her gaze inscrutable, before she finally nodded, tilting her head towards the stairs. "Alright, follow me. I'll try and draw her out for you."
I followed behind her, my shoes sinking into the plush carpet as I silently followed behind her. We passed Victoria's room first, her door hanging open to expose it. Passing by, I spotted a desk with a laptop sitting open and a large bookshelf with several trophies decorating it. Victoria stopped at the next door and knocked.
"Amy? You awake?" she asked, her voice soft. Hesitant.
"What is it?" A muffled voice replied.
"Could you come out? Elaine's here."
"Just tell her I'm asleep."
"Amy, it's three in the afternoon."
"Then tell her I'm not here."
"Amy, she wants to talk with you. Just come down for a bit?"
"Well, maybe I don't want to talk with her!" Amy snapped. "Just… just leave me alone, Vicky."
I pressed my lips tight. My patience with this petulance was growing thin. "Excuse me, Victoria."
"Ellie? What are you–"
My foot slammed into the door. The doors leading outside may have been reinforced, but they had not taken the same precautions here. There was a crack and the latch slipped, the door banging into the wall as it flew open. Inside, Amy sat wrapped almost entirely in a blanket, staring wide-eyed as I came through the door.
"What the hell?! Did you just break into my room? Are you fucking crazy?"
The girl was paler than I remembered, the color drained from her skin from lack of sun, leaving a stark white to contrast with her many freckles. Her brown hair had grown long and tangled, wild from lack of care. And though she wore her blanket as a cloak, it parted enough that I could tell she wasn't wearing much in the way of clothes. A large t-shirt and her underwear. I scowled down at her and she flinched back as I approached.
"Get dressed," I said, my voice as tightly controlled as I could keep it. "Your family may have indulged your cowardice, but I will not. I am taking you outside."
"I'm not going to–"
"Get. Dressed."
Amy glanced to Victoria for a moment before looking back to me. Her jaw worked, trying to say something but unable to produce the words. Finally, she bit out, "Fine. But get out of my room. I'm not going to change with you watching, you creep."
I held her gaze, not looking away until she met my eyes. The pink of anger and embarrassment slowly invaded her cheeks and I waited until it was near a tipping point before I replied, "I shall hold you to your word." With that, I walked out of the room, closing the door behind me. It failed to latch properly and began drifting open again.
"Holy hell." Victoria stared at me as though I were a stranger. "Where did that come from, Ellie?"
"...Do you believe that I went too far?"
"A bit," Victoria said dryly. "I won't complain if it works. I will leave you in a tree if you make Amy cry though, okay?"
"Well. Far be it from me to tempt your wrath. You are welcome to come along, if you wish."
"Next time, maybe. I have the feeling the two of you need to have a talk without me acting as third wheel."
"I don't think we need to have a talk, not that anyone asked me," Amy said, stomping out of her room. She'd thrown on a pair of jeans and a hooded jacket despite the summer heat outside. She hadn't bothered combing her hair.
"Your opinion is noted," I said. "However, I am choosing to ignore it in this case. Shall we?" I offered my hand only for Amy to glare at it as though it had personally offended her until I lowered it once more.
"If we must," Amy finally said.
I met Victoria's eyes and she gave me a sympathetic smile. It would seem I had my work cut out for me. "Then let's go." I led the way back downstairs. Dean had not been available to drive me today – I had needed to catch a taxi over here – but there was a bus stop nearby that ran close to where I was intending for us to go.
"Where exactly are we going anyway?" Amy asked. "If it's shopping, I'll save us the time and hard pass now. I get enough of that when Victoria decides she needs to drag me out of the house."
"We are not going shopping."
"Good," Amy said. "Maybe this won't be a completely miserable experience then."
Well, one could dream, I suppose.
A half hour later saw us at a set of batting cages down near the Boardwalk. It was part of a larger facility – there was a laser tag arena, mini-golf, an arcade, and other entertainment for children our age to busy ourselves with. Amy however, had not been happy with my choice.
"Sports? Really? I take it back, this is already worse than shopping. At least then I only have to walk."
"Just hit the ball, Amy."
I followed my own advice, only to whiff the strike as my swing came in a bit too quickly. Amy scowled but followed suit soon after, a satisfying crack echoing through the cage.
"Why did you decide on this anyways? You never struck me as the sports type before."
"I have been attempting to broaden my horizons since I woke up." I swung again, this time managing to catch the edge of the ball. The force didn't transfer properly however, and it simply bounced away. "Besides which, I had the feeling that this conversation would leave the both of us wishing to strike something."
"Well, that's for sure." Amy swung again. Crack. Another ball went sailing back and was caught by the cage's netting.
I shifted my grip. I had never done anything quite like this before, to my memory, yet it still felt somehow familiar. I swung again – the bat hit and the ball went flying upwards before falling back down behind the plate.
"Stop."
"What?" I turned to frown at Amy.
"Widen your stance. Spread your feet apart. Square your shoulders."
I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean?"
Amy huffed and shut her pitching machine off before circling around to my cage. I shut my machine off as well, and she stepped in behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder and another on my back, pushing gently to straighten me. "I mean your stance is all wrong. You look like you're trying to swing a sword around."
Raising an eyebrow, I followed her instruction. "You are better at this than I thought you would be."
"Vicky's main sport was always basketball, but she's dragged me to places like this before. She could probably give you better advice than I could."
I hummed and glanced back at Amy. "She seems like a good sister."
"...Yeah. She is. Better than I deserve."
"True."
"Hey!" Amy scowled. "You're not supposed to agree with that!"
"Would you prefer that I give you platitudes instead?" I asked. "Perhaps about how love does not care what you deserve?"
"Ugh. No." Amy shook her head and looked away. "Forget it."
Pausing, I tilted my head back, looking out towards the sky. "I called it a platitude, but that does not make it less true, Amy. Love does not care whether you deserve it or not. Your sister loves you. That will not change. It is simply up to you to live up to that love."
"Easy for you to say," Amy scoffed.
I sighed and set my bat down. "What is it that is eating at you exactly, Amy? My brother thought you were guilty over what happened to me, but that does not seem to be the case."
"Wait, is that what all this has been about? Because of Dean? He had no right to talk about me like that!"
My eyes narrowed. "Amy. He was worried about you. Your sister is worried about you."
"Yeah, well, it's none of their business, Elaine!"
A frustrated sigh escaped me. One step forward and two steps back. "If not with them, then speak to me, Amy. Cease this tantrum and allow me to help you."
"Why do you care, even? It's not like we were ever friends."
"Perhaps not. That need not stay the case, however."
"And what, I'll just become a better person through the power of friendship?"
I stepped forward into Amy's space and drove a finger into her chest. I was shorter than she was, the top of my head only coming up to her nose. I tilted my head back so that I could look her in the eyes. "You think you are not worthy of their love? Fine. Then I will beat you into shape until you resemble an actual functioning human being again."
Amy's eyes widened. "Er, when you say beat me into shape, what does that mean exactly?"
A smile played on my lips. "I suppose that is for me to know and you to discover. To start, we will be making this sort of outing a regular thing. You are not allowed to simply hide away in your room any more. At the very least, you will join me in my self-defense classes so that you are prepared for any future trouble."
"...Fine. I can agree to that. For now."
"Good. Then let us hit a few more balls and I will buy us dessert on the way home. Is that acceptable?"
"Well, that would require you to actually hit anything first," Amy snarked.
"Oh? Those sound like fighting words to me, Amy. Were you looking to make a competition of it?"
"You know I'll crush you, right? You haven't hit a single ball yet."
"Ah, but I have received your instruction and taken it to heart. I am sure my fortunes are ready to shift."
"Well fine," Amy grinned. "If you want to lose that badly. If I win, you have to give me your serving of ice cream after this. I get both, you get none."
I narrowed my eyes. A harsh penalty indeed. "I accept."
Gamemaster said:
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
Nearly two hours later, Amy laid sprawled across the bus seat, groaning softly. "Ugh. I can't believe how competitive you are."
I shifted uneasily and looked away. "Surely it wasn't that bad?"
"We played five games with thirty balls each game." Amy grimaced and looked away. "You sulked when I beat you and asked for another rematch, only to get mad if I tried going easy. Not even stealing your ice cream makes up for this."
"...Perhaps I was a bit overly enthusiastic."
"You don't say," she replied sarcastically.
I looked out the window and watched the city pass by, trying to ignore the heat that was burning my cheeks.
"...Still," Amy said after a moment. "I had fun. Thanks, I guess. Even if you owe me a new door."
"...I will see what I can do to replace it."
Amy laughed, a surprisingly gentle sound for how harsh her voice could usually be. Outside, the world passed by, idyllic as the Bay ever could be. Blue skies stretched as far as I could see, the Sun bright in the sky. A cloud passed and a second sun appeared.
"What–?"
A series of popping sounds came from nearby – gunfire? Amy was starting to raise herself up in response to the noise when the Sun descended and the world disappeared in light. The bus was rolling, my arm wrapped around Amy as I tried to keep us in our seats. A thunderous clap came nearby and the both of us fell down onto what had once been the bus's ceiling.
Gamemaster said:
I let out a slow breath as I slowly sat up. Amy and I were unhurt, thankfully, but I couldn't say the same for the other people on the bus. A quick scan of the vehicle showed people who had broken bones while falling. Others who had fallen on shattered glass and cut themselves. Some were unconscious. Others were groaning in pain.
Across the street I could see men dressed in garish red and green, guns aimed towards the sky. A dreadful roar shook the ground beneath me, dredging up terror from deep within my soul.
There was no time to think. I had to act.
It is June of 2010.
You have been caught in the crossfire of a Parahuman battle. You need to respond and fast.
[ ] [Battle] Attack
You should get rid of those gunmen across the street. It will be difficult to evacuate everyone if it's an active warzone.
[ ] [Battle] Rescue
Start dragging people out of the bus to try and get them to safety. This will take time and be difficult with a battle going on.
[ ] [Battle] Hide
Bunker down inside the bus and hope that help comes soon.
[ ] [Battle] Flee
Get yourself and Amy to safety. The others will have to fend for themselves.
[ ] [Battle] (Write-In)
1.4 - The Drawing of the Sword
Voting said:
"Amy."
"Whu–" Amy stirred on top of me and I gently shifted her to the side. "What happened?"
"A Parahuman battle. We need to pull the people trapped here to safety quickly, before anything else happens."
"I–" Amy slowly pushed herself up and looked around. An explosion sounded off in the distance, the force and noise enough to send the bus rocking once more. "Where is even safe?"
Gamemaster said:
I drew my lips tight. There was too much noise. I couldn't tell which direction the battle was in, if it was even moving away at all. "I do not know. I know that we cannot afford to stay here, however, and neither can these people."
"So what, we just pick a direction and go?"
"We will not escape far with all of these people – but we can at least get them inside a building and out of the line of fire."
Gamemaster said:
Amy chewed on her lip, her eyes frantically darting around the bus, before finally nodding. "Okay. Okay. We can do this. How do we do this?"
Ducking down to look through the window, I surveyed the area before pointing to a bookshop. "We aim for that building. The heavy shelving should hopefully help stop any bullets that come through the walls. I will begin organizing anyone who is awake and uninjured enough to assist those who are hurt."
Amy nodded again and took a deep breath before rushing to the nearest person. Meanwhile, I scanned the bus. There had been eighteen people onboard prior to our crash. Not including Amy and I, there looked to be three relatively uninjured, with another two who could at least walk under their own power. That meant at least two trips, possibly a third to get everyone, and that's assuming everyone helped.
Gamemaster said:
I stepped out into the aisle and raised my voice. "Everyone who is able – We must move everyone who is injured off the bus and into the nearby buildings swiftly! The longer we stay here, the greater the chance that we are caught in the crossfire!"
"Fuck that!" A man swore. "I'm not waiting around for some Empire goon to put a cap in me! I'm getting out of here!"
"Wait – These people need your help!"
The man ran for the rear door, shoving me aside as he passed by. I hit the ground, the breath blown out of me, more stunned by the act than the actual force behind it. The other two uninjured people, a man and a woman, shared a look before following after him, a bit more slowly. One of them looked down at me as they passed.
"Sorry kid. You mean well, but we just can't risk it. Not with things this bad already."
Slowly picking myself up, I squeezed my hands tight. I could not fault them. They simply wished to keep themselves safe. Still, the taste of bitter disappointment filled my mouth.
"Oh God. What are we going to do?"
I took a deep breath and looked at the woman who had spoken, a woman with a very obviously broken leg. "We will do whatever we are able. My friend and I will begin carrying whoever we can, but we need you to stay calm in the meantime."
The ping of a stray bullet hit the frame of the bus and the woman flinched. "We're going to die, aren't we?"
"No. Not today. Not if I can help it."
The woman broke into tears and I looked away. A part of me wanted to join her, but I could not afford that. Not now. For now, I locked those emotions away and focused on the task at hand. The people who had been knocked unconscious would have to be first. There was no chance that they would be able to drag themselves to safety. Amy could help those who only had broken limbs out of the bus at least. I performed mental triage and moved to grab my first rescuee.
Gamemaster said:
They were heavy. It wasn't even that big of a person, yet I found my arms straining. I grit my teeth and bore the weight. Then I bore the weight of the next person. And the next. Even those who were twice my size, somehow I managed to walk. A mere eleven people to carry.
The bookstore owner looked a frightened mess when I brought the first person in, but he was quickly ushering me through, helping take people from me once I got them to the door. I finally heard sirens in the distance as I left for the final casualty, though the sounds of explosions had not yet quieted. Extricating them from the wreck, I made it to the door when a thing made of twisted steel tore through the street.
Its passage left the bus a twisted wreck, the gunmen who had been firing from nearby now a mangled heap. The thing stopped, turning to look at me for a moment, before continuing onwards, uninterested in a random civilian. A wolf made of jagged, cruel blades and barbs. Another Parahuman.
This was the face of the conflict in my city. This cruelty. This indifference to the safety and happiness of its people. I shook, overcome with rage and fear and exhaustion all at once. I barely managed to get inside the bookstore before collapsing to the ground, barely able to draw in breath.
"You okay?"
"No. Not particularly." I allowed my breath to slow before opening my eyes to look at Amy. "Is everyone safe?"
"Yeah. I can't believe we managed it." Amy gave me a small grin and punched at my shoulder. "I didn't think you had something like that in you."
Gamemaster said:
"I just did what I could," I said, glancing away.
"Well, I guess what you could do was more than I thought." Heat suffused my cheeks, but it was a pleasant embarrassment. Amy kept talking, having apparently not noticed. "I already called 911 and left a message with my family. They're busy trying to contain this, but an ambulance should be on its way."
"Good. That's… good. Do we know what caused this?"
"No idea. That bright flash at the beginning though? That was Purity, the Empire's resident Blaster."
"Blaster?"
Amy gave me a funny look. "Yeah, you know. Shoots beams and stuff. Did you never learn the Parahuman classifications?"
I shrugged. "I was never terribly interested in them before… everything that has happened."
"Well… I suppose the classifications do change quite a bit, the science around it is still evolving, but Blaster's on pretty much all of them. Vicky could tell you more, she's a huge nerd about this sort of stuff."
"What are the others?" I asked.
"Ugh. Give me a sec. How'd it go?" She began singing a small rhyme, "Mover, Shaker, Brute, and Breaker. Master, Tinker, Blaster, and Thinker. Striker, Changer, Trump, and Stranger."
"That's all of them?"
"All of the ones currently in use. Like I said, there's some older ones, or ones that don't get used often any more. Like Shifter or Nuker."
Gamemaster said:
I hummed thoughtfully and closed my eyes, too tired to truly engage with what she was saying. Darkness soon overtook me.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
A scream rent the air. The girl woke with a start, immediately moving to begin donning her armor. Her armor, but not her sword. She had drawn the Sword of Selection earlier that day. Not all had acknowledged it. King Lot had declared that he would never serve someone as young as her as King. Nor had he been alone. Others had left in discontent, murmuring of a child king. Yet, for every one that left, two had vowed their allegiance.
The sword had been hung in Saint Paul's Basilica. Proof for all to come and see that the sword had been drawn. The King had been chosen.
And tonight, the very same night that the sword had been drawn, vandals had come to sack Londinium and steal the sword.
She left her lodgings, with not the holy sword but instead one made of common steel in hand. A man covered in painted woad and wielding naught but a knife came screaming out of the night. A twist and a slash and he was cut down.
Even without her holy sword none stood in her way. Pictish knifemen were cut down. Their spears were broken. Their shields shattered. And at the Basilica, she found loyal knights had formed a defensive line, keeping any from taking the sword.
"You have each done well. Tell me your names, that I might know who has served me faithfully this night."
"My Lord, I am Lucan," one youth told her. He was young, and could not have been a knight for long, only recently graduated from squirehood. A firm jaw lent him a dignified appearance however, even in the midst of this bloodshot.
"My Lord, I am Griflet," another said. This one was young – too young to have been knighted yet. He must still be a squire, and yet had fought on anyways.
"My Lord, I am Bedivere," the last said. A handsome face, perhaps a year or two older than herself looked back at her steadfastly, disguising the pain of his severed hand. Yet, even despite the grievous wound that showed hurried signs of wrapping, he had not been slowed in his defense of the sword.
"Rise. I acknowledge each of you as knights of my household. You shall be proud. For each of you have obeyed your king's command."
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
When I opened my eyes again, a day had passed. Someone had taken me back home while I slept, though I could not remember who. Vivid memories of dreams whirled through my mind as I slowly left my bed.
A slew of messages had filled my phone while I slept.
There were Victoria and Amy, of course, asking me to let them know once I had woken up. Mostly Victoria. Amy had sent a single message and had not bothered since. Victoria it seemed asked every few hours if I was awake yet. More surprising were Chelsea and Megan asking if I was okay and getting worried when I did not respond, and even a singular message from Erin checking on my safety.
I sent a message to all five, letting them know I was well. That accomplished, I left my room.
The house was strangely quiet. No maids here to clean. No gardeners outside taking care of the lawn. No sign of Dean in his room. It made the snatches of overheard conversation stand out all the more as I approached the living room.
"--Need to get out of this city. How many more incidents like this do we need?"
"You know it's not that simple, Helen. Where would we even go? Boston? That's even worse than here, they've got the Teeth running around causing havoc. New York? They have a new villain pop up every other week."
"What if next time she doesn't wake up? Or what if next time it's Dean who's hurt?"
"Look, these things never last that long. We can move up the vacation a bit, get them out of the city until it blows over."
"...Fine. That's fine. Just… how did everything go so wrong in the world?"
"I don't know. Too many selfish people choosing to become villains."
I quietly stepped away, not willing to listen any further. A cold pit had formed in my stomach. It wasn't just that people became villains. It was that not enough people stood up to them in response. Yet, here we were, fleeing in the face of adversity.
There was not much I could do about that. Not at this point. However, I could at least use the opportunity to better myself, and return more prepared for next time.
It is July of 2010.
We have arrived at a rest period.
First is to tally checkmarks.
Checkmarks said:
Next is training and practice. You may select any one of the following improvements:
Training said:
Please structure this vote as a Plan, i.e.
[ ] Plan Name Here
-[ ] [Training] Skills 1, Skills 2, Skills 3, etc.
The next stage is to tally Glory and to receive Glory rewards.
Glory said:
Next, you receive your monthly allowance. Given your status as a Wealthy Heiress, you earn $100.
Remember, if at any time you wish to buy something from the shop, please do a write in as below, and I will add it to the next vote.
[ ] [Shop] (Write-In)
Now, for our actions going forward into next month.
Your parents are taking you on vacation next month. Elaine technically doesn't have any control over this, but you the readers do.
[ ] [Vacation] New York
[ ] [Vacation] Los Angeles
[ ] [Vacation] France
[ ] [Vacation] England
[ ] [Vacation] Japan
[ ] [Vacation] (Write-In)
While on vacation, what will you focus on doing?
[ ] [Activity] Sightsee
[ ] [Activity] Talk with the locals
[ ] [Activity] Hit the beach
[ ] [Activity] Stick with what your family is doing
[ ] [Activity] (Write-In)
And finally a free time action. I'm going to leave this one entirely up to write-ins. If I particularly like a specific write-in, I reserve the right to also include it in addition to the write-in that wins the vote.
[ ] [Free Time] (Write-In)
1.x - Interlude; Sophia
"Come on, don't scream. Just be nice and quiet and it'll all be over soon."
The woman – girl, really – did not listen. The man sighed and pinned her to the ground, slapping her across the face to shut her up before wrapping a hand around her throat. Panicked, the girl tried to swing at him, her hand slapping ineffectually at the man's head. It wasn't enough to dislodge the man. It never would be enough. It was enough to annoy him however. More importantly, it was enough for the figure watching them from above.
Sophia's crossbow let out a twang as she pulled the trigger. Her bolt buried itself in the creep's shoulder and he went spinning off of his victim in a spray of blood. The girl ran off, not even waiting to thank her savior.
That was fine. Sophia didn't care about getting thanked. She was just here to take scum like this off of the street.
She hopped down off of the roof, her body dispersing into shadow, allowing her to land safely and reform, a second bolt already slotted into her crossbow. Walking over to the man, she kicked out, her boot finding purchase in the man's ribs as she flipped him over onto his back.
Blank, empty eyes stared up at her.
Shit. That made another one. She groaned softly. That meant she'd need to hide the body. It was hardly the first time, but it was still a pain in the ass. She couldn't call Emma to help her with this either. The last time she'd called Emma in to help with a dead body, her friend had freaked out. Emma might be a survivor, but she wasn't as strong as she liked to think she was.
That was fine. That was part of being a supportive friend. Sophia would help her get there. Eventually.
Bending down, she yanked her bolt free of the body. Maybe she could widen the wound, make it look like a stabbing instead. Just another mugging gone wrong in Brockton. That could probably work. That girl had run off so fast she probably hadn't even seen Sophia.
Nodding to herself, Sophia drew her knife, a nifty little thing she'd gotten at a sporting goods store, more hunting knife than pocket knife. Perhaps it was a bit much for the job, but well, needs must. She placed it over the man's chest and thrust.
An iron grip closed around her wrist. Sophia instinctively tried to jerk away before she realized it wasn't some third person who had grabbed her. It was the corpse. The man she had killed had reached up and grabbed hold of her. The shock held her in place long enough for the corpse to lunge upwards and sink its jagged fangs into her shoulder.
She cried out and turned to shadow immediately, but the corpse had torn a chunk of flesh out of her. She rematerialized a few feet away and sunk another bolt into it, but it hardly seemed to even notice. It simply licked at its blood-stained lips, staring at her with eerie red eyes.
"D-Don't scrrream," it gurgled wetly. "Just b-be nice and quiet. It'll all be overrrr soon."
Yeah, fuck that. Sophia dashed backwards, but the creature was fast. It was ontop of her, bearing her down to the ground almost before she'd realized what had happened. The world inverted, shadows turning ghostly as she became insubstantial, slipping the thing's grip again.
Range. She had to get out of this thing's range. She rematerialized just enough for her feet to meet the ground, jumping upwards. Her breaker state had all the mass of a shadow, and she soared upwards with the momentum she had generated, reforming to grab the roof's ledge. She could just snipe this thing safely from above–
A hand wrapped around her ankle and yanked her down before she could pull herself over the roof's ledge. She hit the ground, hard, the air driven out of her, but forced herself to roll away, instincts screaming at her. The creature landed where she'd fallen a moment before, the pavement cracking under its feet.
She stumbled, shaking her head. Things were getting blurry. The alleyway was covered in blood – her blood. The wound in her shoulder ran deep. She had to get out of here. She knew the creature would be on her in a second if she reformed, but she had to in order to generate momentum. She kept her momentum in her breaker state, but she had to leave it, even just for a moment, if she ever wanted to redirect herself.
The world regained color for a brief second, her body physical again as she leapt for the wall. Claws raked across her side and she screamed even as she slipped into incorporeality once again and into the building, away from the monster behind her. She stumbled and reformed once she was inside.
The other side of the wall was some kind of fridge. Those big walk in ones that butchers and some restaurants used, all steel and hooks and hanging slabs of meat. At least, she assumed that was the case. The lights were out, the room plunged into utter darkness. She bumped into something hanging and prayed that it was what she thought it was as she stumbled forward through the room, searching for the door.
Part of her just wanted to lie down. To go to sleep. A deep lethargy had settled on her, her limbs growing heavier with each passing moment. She took that part of her and stuffed it in the trash where it belonged. She wasn't dying here, in some restaurant freezer. She hit the opposite wall. No door yet.
A loud rattle came from her side. Someone trying to open a locked door and failing. The door rattled again before suddenly banging open, blown off its hinges. A dark figure stood there, silhouetted by the light behind it. Sophia didn't wait. She immediately jumped sideways at the wall.
A scream ripped out of her as she hit a wire, live electricity racing through her entire body.
She hit the ground, twitching, unable to move. Shit. Shit, shit shit. This is why she didn't just jump through random walls. Was this really where it ended? She was supposed to be the predator, stalking criminals unseen until she struck, and now she was being hunted down? She squeezed her eyes shut, the sound of heavy footsteps approaching.
"Shadowstalker."
Sophia cracked her eyes open, staring at the cobalt plated steel boots in front of her. "Armsmaster?"
The man paused, looking around the alley, shifting his grip on his halberd. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."
"Already… t-turned down your Wards pitch once, y'know?"
"I think you might wish to change your mind. Unless you plan on bleeding out here in the alley?" Sophia shook her head minutely. "Good. Then come with me if you want to live."
Sophia groaned softly. "M-Movie references now? D-Didn't think you were that corny."
He wrapped his arms around her and hefted her upwards, his grip surprisingly gentle. "What reference?"
Sophia tilted her head up to look at his face. The grim set of his mouth seemed entirely serious. Damn it. This was her life now, wasn't it?
She let her gaze stray back to the alley as Armsmaster carried her out. For a moment, she swore she saw red eyes staring at her. Then, she blinked, and only darkness remained.
The woman – girl, really – did not listen. The man sighed and pinned her to the ground, slapping her across the face to shut her up before wrapping a hand around her throat. Panicked, the girl tried to swing at him, her hand slapping ineffectually at the man's head. It wasn't enough to dislodge the man. It never would be enough. It was enough to annoy him however. More importantly, it was enough for the figure watching them from above.
Sophia's crossbow let out a twang as she pulled the trigger. Her bolt buried itself in the creep's shoulder and he went spinning off of his victim in a spray of blood. The girl ran off, not even waiting to thank her savior.
That was fine. Sophia didn't care about getting thanked. She was just here to take scum like this off of the street.
She hopped down off of the roof, her body dispersing into shadow, allowing her to land safely and reform, a second bolt already slotted into her crossbow. Walking over to the man, she kicked out, her boot finding purchase in the man's ribs as she flipped him over onto his back.
Blank, empty eyes stared up at her.
Shit. That made another one. She groaned softly. That meant she'd need to hide the body. It was hardly the first time, but it was still a pain in the ass. She couldn't call Emma to help her with this either. The last time she'd called Emma in to help with a dead body, her friend had freaked out. Emma might be a survivor, but she wasn't as strong as she liked to think she was.
That was fine. That was part of being a supportive friend. Sophia would help her get there. Eventually.
Bending down, she yanked her bolt free of the body. Maybe she could widen the wound, make it look like a stabbing instead. Just another mugging gone wrong in Brockton. That could probably work. That girl had run off so fast she probably hadn't even seen Sophia.
Nodding to herself, Sophia drew her knife, a nifty little thing she'd gotten at a sporting goods store, more hunting knife than pocket knife. Perhaps it was a bit much for the job, but well, needs must. She placed it over the man's chest and thrust.
An iron grip closed around her wrist. Sophia instinctively tried to jerk away before she realized it wasn't some third person who had grabbed her. It was the corpse. The man she had killed had reached up and grabbed hold of her. The shock held her in place long enough for the corpse to lunge upwards and sink its jagged fangs into her shoulder.
She cried out and turned to shadow immediately, but the corpse had torn a chunk of flesh out of her. She rematerialized a few feet away and sunk another bolt into it, but it hardly seemed to even notice. It simply licked at its blood-stained lips, staring at her with eerie red eyes.
"D-Don't scrrream," it gurgled wetly. "Just b-be nice and quiet. It'll all be overrrr soon."
Yeah, fuck that. Sophia dashed backwards, but the creature was fast. It was ontop of her, bearing her down to the ground almost before she'd realized what had happened. The world inverted, shadows turning ghostly as she became insubstantial, slipping the thing's grip again.
Range. She had to get out of this thing's range. She rematerialized just enough for her feet to meet the ground, jumping upwards. Her breaker state had all the mass of a shadow, and she soared upwards with the momentum she had generated, reforming to grab the roof's ledge. She could just snipe this thing safely from above–
A hand wrapped around her ankle and yanked her down before she could pull herself over the roof's ledge. She hit the ground, hard, the air driven out of her, but forced herself to roll away, instincts screaming at her. The creature landed where she'd fallen a moment before, the pavement cracking under its feet.
She stumbled, shaking her head. Things were getting blurry. The alleyway was covered in blood – her blood. The wound in her shoulder ran deep. She had to get out of here. She knew the creature would be on her in a second if she reformed, but she had to in order to generate momentum. She kept her momentum in her breaker state, but she had to leave it, even just for a moment, if she ever wanted to redirect herself.
The world regained color for a brief second, her body physical again as she leapt for the wall. Claws raked across her side and she screamed even as she slipped into incorporeality once again and into the building, away from the monster behind her. She stumbled and reformed once she was inside.
The other side of the wall was some kind of fridge. Those big walk in ones that butchers and some restaurants used, all steel and hooks and hanging slabs of meat. At least, she assumed that was the case. The lights were out, the room plunged into utter darkness. She bumped into something hanging and prayed that it was what she thought it was as she stumbled forward through the room, searching for the door.
Part of her just wanted to lie down. To go to sleep. A deep lethargy had settled on her, her limbs growing heavier with each passing moment. She took that part of her and stuffed it in the trash where it belonged. She wasn't dying here, in some restaurant freezer. She hit the opposite wall. No door yet.
A loud rattle came from her side. Someone trying to open a locked door and failing. The door rattled again before suddenly banging open, blown off its hinges. A dark figure stood there, silhouetted by the light behind it. Sophia didn't wait. She immediately jumped sideways at the wall.
A scream ripped out of her as she hit a wire, live electricity racing through her entire body.
She hit the ground, twitching, unable to move. Shit. Shit, shit shit. This is why she didn't just jump through random walls. Was this really where it ended? She was supposed to be the predator, stalking criminals unseen until she struck, and now she was being hunted down? She squeezed her eyes shut, the sound of heavy footsteps approaching.
"Shadowstalker."
Sophia cracked her eyes open, staring at the cobalt plated steel boots in front of her. "Armsmaster?"
The man paused, looking around the alley, shifting his grip on his halberd. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."
"Already… t-turned down your Wards pitch once, y'know?"
"I think you might wish to change your mind. Unless you plan on bleeding out here in the alley?" Sophia shook her head minutely. "Good. Then come with me if you want to live."
Sophia groaned softly. "M-Movie references now? D-Didn't think you were that corny."
He wrapped his arms around her and hefted her upwards, his grip surprisingly gentle. "What reference?"
Sophia tilted her head up to look at his face. The grim set of his mouth seemed entirely serious. Damn it. This was her life now, wasn't it?
She let her gaze stray back to the alley as Armsmaster carried her out. For a moment, she swore she saw red eyes staring at her. Then, she blinked, and only darkness remained.
2.1 - Echoes of the Past
Voting said:
The crowning of a King was no simple affair. The sword may have been drawn from the stone on New Year's day, witnessed by God and man alike, but that was not the end of it. A new assembly of noblemen came from far and wide to witness the miracle on Candlemas, and once again, the sword was drawn.
"Truly amazing, my Lord. To think that we would see a King over all of Britain again. After Uther fell, I thought our country was doomed for destruction, but I feel hope once again."
"You shouldn't be deceived. This beardless boy is just a puppet of Merlin. You can't trust a sorcerer, especially not that one. I, for one, will never swear to this pretender."
So it went. Some declared their fealty. Others their distrust. Again, more noblemen gathered on Easter. Again, the miracle was repeated. Again, noblemen stepped forward to swear their loyalty, but many left instead, believing it a hoax. On Pentecost, the miracle was repeated for a fourth time, and with it came the crown.
"Stand firm, and hold fast from henceforth this seat of royal dignity, which is yours by the authority of Almighty God. May that same God, whose throne endures forever, establish your throne in righteousness, that it may stand fast forever."
She stared up at the Archbishop as he lowered the crown upon her head. It had been five months since she drew the sword from the stone. A part of her questioned the need for this pomp, but both the magus and Ector had insisted it was important. It was a necessary foundation upon which to build everything that would flow henceforth.
"Rise, Arthur. King of Logres, and High King of Britain."
It was not true. Not yet. Logres may have bowed to her, but the rest of Britain had not. In just a few days, King Lot and his dissidents would assemble an army outside the city and she would have to spill the blood of her own countrymen. For now, for this brief moment, the people celebrated the coming of a new era.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
I jolted awake as the plane bounced, the wheels hitting the tarmac. The flight to London had been a long one, and at some point I had drifted asleep. Yawning, I stretched in my seat, the fleeting images of my dreams slipping away now that I was awake.
"Finally here. Hate these international flights."
Paying only half an ear to my father's complaints, I gathered my bags. We were staying here for a week. A week in which my parents hoped that the Protectorate would wrestle a lid back onto the boiling pot that was Brockton Bay. There was no hope that they would actually stop things entirely. The gangs had been embedded within the city for well over a decade. If they could have removed them so easily, they would have by now.
The three of us moved through the terminal and out to where our rental car waited. Three, because Dean had not come with us. Something about his work being understaffed and needing all hands on deck right now. I wish I had been allowed to stay behind with him; this trip felt cowardly. Violence had erupted on the streets and I had retreated to another country entirely for safety. It had been my parents' choice, not mine, but it was no less bitter a draught for that.
It could not be helped. I would simply have to make the most of the opportunity.
There was something here, in this land, that called to me. An urge that I knew not the name of. Something stirred in me, a desire to seek it out.
Unfortunately, I did not know where to begin. I spent the first few days simply seeing the various tourist attractions in the area. Big Ben. Buckingham Palace. The Tower of London.
It was when we visited Saint Paul's Cathedral that I found my first hint of something.
A sense of nostalgia welled up in me as I approached the Cathedral. For a moment, I saw not the large edifice that was there, but instead a much smaller church. Outside, there would have been a small, closed off yard, covered in snow that had fallen the night before. A large, flat stone would have sat in the center, a single piece carved into plinth with a sword driven into its center.
No sign of it remained. Yet, I was certain that I had once stood here in my dreams.
I took a deep breath. The air lay heavy here. This was an old place and memories were worked into the very stone beneath my feet. It may have changed from my dreams, but the core of the place had not.
Gamemaster said:
Inside, tall columns made of white marble lined the nave, the cathedral long enough to make it look narrower than it was in truth. There was an enormity to the place, a sense of sheer scope that left our church back home pale by comparison. Art decorated the ceilings, the walls, and was even carved into places in the floors.
This was a building that no longer reflected the small island nation that had been beset on all sides, but instead the wealth of an empire that had conquered the world.
"A miracle has a price. In exchange, you will lose the thing most important to you."
There was a time when the peoples of this isle fought to push the invading tribes from its shores. The Angles. The Saxons. The Normans. In the end, they had failed. This was no longer the land of the Bretons. Nor was it the land of the Cymric. It was England now. The land of the Angles. And just as they had invaded Britain, so too had their reach spread to the rest of the world.
My heart clenched, a strange melancholy overtaking me. I could stay there no longer.
"You doing okay there, Ells?"
"Just a stomachache, I think," I told my father. "If you do not mind, I may just stay in the park for a bit whilst you visit the museum."
My parents shared a look briefly. "Sure, I don't think that's a problem. Just stay in the park and don't wander off. You've got your phone on you, right?"
"Worry not. I have it with me."
"Okay. Don't talk to strangers or wander off with anyone."
"I will be fine. Go. Enjoy yourselves."
"Alright, but call if you need anything."
"Go!" I laughed. Really, they worried too much. Shaking my head, I wandered into the nearby garden, enjoying the warmth of the sun upon my skin and the breeze at my back. As parks went, it wasn't especially large. I could walk a circuit within a handful of minutes without effort. The trees made a barrier between the park and the rest of the city however, lending the space a bit of peace.
Settling beneath a tree, I folded my legs under myself, simply taking the time to watch the other people in the park. There, a child walked hand-in-hand with their parents. Across the way, a pair of old men sat, playing chess. A young woman was using the path to jog. A couple was walking their dog, a tiny thing that did not even come up to the woman's knee.
Everyone was going about, living their lives peacefully. Everyone was smiling.
A warmth spreading through my chest for the first time since I arrived in this land. If this was the result, I could accept the journey that had led to it.
A series of gasps went through the park, people pointing upwards. I jerked my eyes upwards, taking a moment before I managed to spot a man flying past, dressed in vivid blue and red.
Gamemaster said:
I did not recognize him, but the surrounding voices seemed excited rather than afraid. A local hero then, perhaps. Even knowing it was safe, however, it still put a damper upon my mood.
People in Brockton Bay would not have reacted the same. Even knowing that the parahuman was a hero, there was always the undercurrent of fear that their presence meant violence would soon follow. London had its villains as well, but it was safe in a way that Brockton Bay was not. Safe in the way that Los Angeles or New York were. Safe in the way where heroes ruled the streets, rather than villains.
Britain may have been my home in my memories and dreams, but Brockton Bay was my home now. I could not – would not suffer to allow its people to live in fear.
Elaine Stansfield was gone. That girl had died a year past. Yet, neither was I the woman in my dreams. At least, not yet. Every day, a bit more of who I was now was chipped away, replaced with the King who had once lived in this land. I knew I ought to feel dread at the prospect, but I did not. They were my memories, of this I was certain. I was simply reclaiming them.
Most importantly, the woman in my memories had been a warrior. She would have had the power to do something about the barbarity that plagued our land. With her memories – my memories – I may have the ability to drive out the malefactors that plagued my city.
"No way."
A voice nearby wrenched me from my thoughts. I looked up at the young Asian woman wearing a bright red shirt and white chinos. She stared at me in return, her blue eyes wide with surprise.
"Saber?"
"Rin," I breathed, the unfamiliar name escaping my lips.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Sorry again, you really do look a lot like her."
I hummed thoughtfully, sipping at the tea the woman had bought for me. The two of us sat at a cafe just across from the park where we had met.
"I take it you have not seen this friend of yours in some time?"
"Yeah. It's been, oh… about six years now? I didn't really expect to ever see her again, so you caught me by surprise."
I wasn't truly surprised to find out that I resembled the person from my dreams. Already, I had noticed details about my face shifting ever so slightly in the mirror. My cheekbones just a bit higher than they were before. My eyes just a hint more green. It was gradual enough that I doubt anyone would notice, not without comparing me to a photograph at least, but to someone who had known her, it must have been a shock.
No, my surprise was not in my resemblance. My surprise was that a person in the modern era knew her. I could not remember Rin. Not yet, at least. Yet, there was an instinctual fondness that told me this was no coincidence. It had truly been my past life that she had known.
"I apologize if it was an unpleasant discovery."
Rin waved her hand. "No, it's not like that. It wasn't unpleasant. It was just a shock is all. It's strange though. You even talk a bit like her."
Gamemaster said:
I pursed my lips. A part of me said that I could trust Rin. Perhaps if I could remember anything about her, I would be able to place my conviction in that feeling. However, I could not and therefore I would not. For now, it was better if I kept my cards close to my chest.
"You said her name was Saber?" I asked. "Was she a cape?"
"Cape? Oh, you mean a parahuman. Well, it was something like that, I suppose," Rin said vaguely. "You probably won't be able to find her searching online though."
"Why is that? Did she not gather any fame as a parahuman?"
"Oh, she was plenty famous," Rin said with a wry smile. "But that was back when I lived in Japan. Before Leviathan did a number on the city. I'd like to think we got along pretty well, but truthfully, I only knew her for a couple of weeks."
Gamemaster said:
I blinked. "You lived on Kyushu?"
"Not on the island itself, no. An island sinking is a big deal though. The rest of Japan caught a lot of blowback from that. Fuyuki was spared the worst of it, but it was still pretty bad."
I frowned and looked down into my cup. Every Endbringer attack was bad. The devastation they wreaked left scars in cities that would take decades to heal, when they did not destroy the cities entirely. Some attacks were worse than others however. Kyushu and Newfoundland. Twice, Leviathan had not been content with simply destroying a city and had instead sunk an entire island.
Millions dead because of a monster's whim.
"Easy. You don't want to break the cup."
That was true enough. I loosened my grip and set my cup gently on the table. "Is that why you moved to England?"
"No, that was unrelated. I got a scholarship with a school here, so I've been working on that. I do visit back home sometimes though, and things are doing better these days."
"Oh? What is it that you are studying?"
"Mineralogy."
"That is… an unusual choice of major."
"Ahaha," Rin laughed. "I suppose it is. I've always had a bit of a connection with gemstones though. Speaking of which, I'd like to give you something before I go."
"That is not necessary, Rin."
"I know. I'd like to though." She reached into her purse, digging around for a moment before pulling out a peridot the size of my little finger. It had been shaped into a kite, likely intended to be fitted to a necklace or pendant, though the stone was still loose. "Take this."
"Rin. This is too much."
"It's my money, I get to decide if it's too much or not." She placed the pale green stone into my hand and folded my fingers over it. "Take it."
Gamemaster said:
There was energy trapped beneath the stone's surface. A swirling vortex straining to be unleashed. A tempest that had been constrained to this small rock. "It's warm," I murmured.
Rin's eyes widened for a moment. "Yeah. It's said that peridots are associated with healing and protection. So keep that close, and if you're ever in trouble, maybe it'll help protect you."
I hesitated for a moment before finally placing the peridot into my pocket. "Thank you, Rin. You are a good person."
"Hmph, don't overthink it," Rin said, turning her face away. "I'm not some hero going around rescuing puppies and kittens like a certain idiot I know. It just would have left a bad taste in my mouth otherwise. Consider it an investment. You have to live and pay me back some day."
A small smile tugged at my lips. "Then I will be certain to do so. You may rest assured that I will pay my debt in full."
Rin looked back towards me, her eyes soft again. "Yeah, I know you will. You really are just like her. It makes me wonder… Well, I can look into it later. It's a good thing Shirou was visiting back home though. I can only imagine how he would have reacted if he saw you."
"Shirou…?"
"Yeah, he'd definitely make something more out of this than he should." Rin shrugged as if to say, 'What can you do?'
She stood atop a mountaintop, facing the rising dawn. The horizon shone in glimmering gold, banishing the night. The morning sun rose. The halted wind began again.
"I see. Then our contract is at an end. I became your sword, defeated your enemies, and protected you. …I am glad to have fulfilled this promise."
"...Yeah, you did well, Saber," a voice said behind her.
"In the end, there is something I must tell you." She turned to face him. "Shirou – I –"
I clutched a hand to my chest, suddenly breathless. I did not know the name. It was unfamiliar to me. Yet, happiness swelled in me knowing that he was well.
Rin studied me with keen eyes. My reaction had given something away. I did not know what. She nodded to herself however and stood up. "Well then, I'd best be going. I've got a paper to write for class and a bit of research to do. …Take care of yourself, okay?"
"...You as well, Rin. I am glad to have met you."
With that, she left, leaving me alone once again.
A quick bit of housekeeping. I am removing Politics and Science as skills. They felt unnecessary for this quest. The points in Politics will be added as a bonus to Intrigue instead. In addition, for the sake of making things a bit easier, I am also removing the Charge skill and combining it with Drive. You will now just use Drive as a limiter for Charge attacks. The points in Charge are added to Drive as a bonus.
It is July of 2010.
You have one last place you wish to visit in England before you have to leave.
[ ] [Visit] A lake
[ ] [Visit] An oak tree
[ ] [Visit] A large standing stone
[ ] [Visit] A grave
After that, you will return to Brockton Bay. Choose someone to spend time with:
[ ] [Social] Dean Stansfield
[ ] [Social] Victoria Dallon
[ ] [Social] Amy Dallon
[ ] [Social] Chelsea and Morgan
[ ] [Social] Erin Archelot
[ ] [Social] (Write-In)
Choose an activity to participate in:
[ ] [Activity] Sports
>You could use the exercise.
[ ] [Activity] Hunting
>Your father likes to go hunting in the woods outside the city every now and then. It hasn't ever been your thing before, but you could give it a try.
[ ] [Activity] Charity
>You could do volunteer work.
[ ] [Activity] Summer Classes
>You may have gotten into Arcadia, but it wouldn't hurt to get caught up more.
[ ] [Activity] Modeling
>It could earn you some money on the side if you do well.
[ ] [Activity] Religion
>Visit churches to try and find a new one.
[ ] [Activity] (Write-In)
2.2 - Echoes of the Past
Voting said:
I walked through thick fog, eddies swirling around my ankles. It had been warm out this morning, too warm for fog. The summer heat had burned off any that had remained in London. Yet, here, it seemed pleasantly cool, the fog thick enough that I could not see more than a few feet in front of myself.
It was our last day in England. Tomorrow, we would return to America. All week, I had felt called to find… somewhere in Britain. Some place that I did not consciously know. It was only today that I had made an excuse about going shopping to my parents and left, catching a taxi to take me out to a lake hidden in the English countryside.
At some point the ground had begun to feel smooth and even beneath my feet, as though I were walking on glass, though I had plenty of friction. It was only when I looked down that I realized that I was walking upon the water itself. My skin prickled, gooseflesh raising along my arms. The air hung still, the lake motionless, the world trapped in a moment of time.
"What is this?" a voice hissed from the murk. "Some new jape of Merlin's? Some new prank with which to torment me?"
I let out a slow breath and turned towards the voice. "It is real enough. I am real."
A woman stepped out of the fog, her dress trailing across the water's surface. Pale blonde hair, nearly white in the surrounding gloom, framed an eerily familiar face. How could it not be familiar? It was my face. Simply grown more mature, the face of a woman rather than a girl.
She reached out, tracing fingers across my cheek, blue eyes staring at me in shock. "Thou art real," she said in wonder. "It is truly thee. How is this?"
"I know not the mechanism. Simply that I am."
"Thy body still rests. This cannot be thee in truth. So how…?" The woman frowned and leaned in, her face nearing so close to mine that our noses nearly touched. Her eyes roamed across my face, as though taking in every detail. "I see," she finally said. "So that is the way it is. To think we had concluded our cruel fates only to see its thread reeled out once again."
Her hands rose to cup my face. A strange anxiety filled me, an urge to step back, to get away from her. Her hands held me in place, unflinching, her lips curving in a wicked smirk.
"What are you–?"
"Thou wert stolen from me once upon a time. Thou once took mine kingdom from me, and thine kingdom in turn took thee from me. Thou who shouldst have always been mine." She leaned forward, pressing her lips against mine. For a moment, my thoughts fled, lost in the shock. For a moment, all I could focus on was how cold she was, as though I were being kissed not by a human but a sculpture of ice.
My hands found her shoulders, pushing her away. She did not so much as stumble, but she released me, letting me fall to the water's surface. The woman smiled down at me and my skin crawled.
"How wonderful that we might have another chance. I see not the reason for your return, only the means. 'Tis a simple enough trick, however. Yes. Simple enough that it may be imitated."
"Imitated?" I whispered, not trusting my voice.
"Indeed. The Age of Faery hath ended. Magic hath faded from Britain. I cannot leave here anymore than thou couldst leave Avalon. Yet, something found a way to bypass that. A way with which to bring thee to the Modern Era. It galls me not to have done so first, but for something like this, I will make exception."
I slowly pushed myself back to my feet. "What are you planning to do exactly?"
The woman simply smiled enigmatically and turned to leave, vanishing back into the fog. Only her voice remained.
"I shall see thee again soon enough, Sister."
I awoke on the lake's shore, the sun shining down bright overhead. It was a warm summer's day, yet I found myself covered in a cold sweat.
Gamemaster said:
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
The flight returning from England was a long one, and I found myself unable to sleep the way I had on the way there. My stomach churned with unease and I kept my head bent forward, resting on the seat tray in front of me for much of the trip.
Had I made a mistake? My memories were too scattered to say for certain. Yet, a creeping dread gnawed at me, insistent that this could only lead to ill.
Even if I could not remember everything, I was not so stupid that I did not fail to connect my memories to the legends. The sister of the King had plotted his downfall and orchestrated it successfully in the end. However, she should not have been the one associated with that lake.
Moreover, there were her final words. Did my carelessness result in the theft of someone else's mind and body?
I squeezed my eyes shut, tasting bile at the back of my throat.
It was a great relief when we finally reached Brockton Bay. It felt as though I had tied myself in knots during the trip, and the source of my worries was not cured, but at least here, I felt like I could do something. Anything. I was no longer trapped in the air with nothing but my own thoughts to torment me.
The experience had left me exhausted however, and I barely managed a brief greeting to my brother when we arrived home before departing to collapse in my room.
A short series of knocks interrupted me before Hypnos could claim me. I let out a short groan before rousing myself and pulling the door open.
"Dean?"
My brother smiled at me brightly from the other side. "Hey there. I just wanted to check on you. You kind of rushed back here when you got home."
"It was a long flight, Dean. I wished to rest."
Gamemaster said:
Dean frowned at me. "You know you can tell me if something is bothering you, right? You don't have to hide it."
"I … Thank you. Truly. It is not something you can help with however." I smiled at my brother and patted his arm gently before stepping back to allow him into the room. "Tell me how things went while we were gone. Is the latest battle between the gangs all over?"
"It seems to have died down, at least," he said, sitting down next to my desk. I only had the one chair in the room, so I simply sat on my bed. "The News said that Challenger and Armsmaster managed to arrest Panzer and the Empire retreated after that."
Gamemaster said:
The name did not mean anything in particular to me, but it was good knowing that another villain was off the streets nonetheless. For a moment, I could picture the scene of a week ago. A creature of jagged steel and hooked blades tearing through the fallen bus where civilians had sheltered but moments before, heedless of the damage it caused. Someone had to stop them. I had to stop them.
"What even started the conflict?" I wondered.
Dean shrugged. "It's hard to be sure. I think there's some speculation that they were trying to assassinate Lung. They failed, obviously, because he's still around."
Honorless wretches.
"What of you? Were you safe during the week?"
"Me? I'm perfectly fine," he said, flashing me a bright smile. "Nothing too exciting at work. We got a new intern at the office. She's still adjusting to the idea of working with a team of people, but her heart's in the right place."
"I am glad. I was worried that something may have happened without me here to protect you." I closed my eyes, leaning back into my bed. It was true. I was happy that my brother was safe. Yet, there was a strange, wistful melancholy mixed in with it. "Be sure to treat your new coworker well. If she has difficulties in adjusting, then be patient with her."
Dean let out a short laugh. "I'm the big brother. I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be the one protecting you."
"Is that so? I suppose I should not lighten your duties, in that case."
Dean squinted at me, a troubled expression settling on his face. "I feel like I just got tricked into agreeing to more work."
"You will survive, I am certain," I said with an amused lilt to my voice.
Dean sighed. "Fine. It's not like I could refuse you anyways," he joked.
"As you should not. I am the King of this household, after all."
"Don't you mean Queen?" he asked.
"I meant what I said." I folded my arms and looked away, my cheeks burning.
"Of course you did." Dean grinned and gently punched my shoulder. I swatted his hand away, but that just widened his smile.
"Begone knave. Your King requires her sleep."
"Very well, I am off, your Majesty. Is there anything else I can do for you before I go?"
"I–"
She shivered beneath a blanket, rain pounding on the window. Her brother sat at her bedside, idly whittling at a block of wood.
"Hey brat. You had better not go dying on me. I still need you to haul my gear and polish my armor, you know. It would be troublesome for me if you were to die now."
She smiled gently, suddenly burning despite having been shivering just moments before. "I would not wish to inconvenience you, brother. I will get better soon."
"Good. I won't lighten your duties, you know. But… Well, if it will help you get better, I'll do just one thing for you. Anything you want."
"That is not necessary, Kay."
"Just pick something already. I'm not taking no for an answer here."
"Then… I wish to have a dream. A dream of a lion running across the plains."
"I suppose I would like to see a dream."
Dean frowned. "I don't think there's much I can do about that."
"...I know. Thank you, Dean, but I do not need anything else."
"Okay. Have a good night then, Ellie."
He left and I watched him before sinking down to rest my head on my pillow. A moment later, Kay (the cat) darted into my room and hopped up onto the bed to begin kneading at my chest before settling down to curl up on top of me.
"Fine. A dream? You got it." He focused on his whittling and eventually handed her a small statue that looked like a cross between a cat and a dog, though he looked inordinately proud as he placed it into her hands. "There, I made you a lion to accompany you in your dreams."
"This is meant to be a lion?"
She hesitated, unsure if she should say anything. "Thank you, Kay. Though it looks more a dog than a lion."
Kay's face turned stricken. "Really? I thought I did really well on it," he mumbled. "It was supposed to be an old, dying lion. One that couldn't even hurt a mouse. That way it wouldn't hurt you in your dreams."
She laughed, the sound bright and pure, and reached out to squeeze her brother's hand. "I shall cherish it, Kay."
That night, she dreamed of a lion running across the plains.
Gamemaster said:
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
The tall steeple loomed over me. I took a deep breath, staring up at it, before stepping forward to press against the large oak doors. The hinges were well-oiled, and the doors swung easily despite their weight, admitting me inside.
I had spent the weekend investigating various churches in the area. Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, even some non-denominational establishments. Some called to me more than others, but I was intent on being thorough. Even if one "felt right" to me, I intended to make a survey of my options and how they differed.
So it was that I entered the Catholic church. It was a relatively small chapel, though well-kept all the same. The pews were of rich oak and stained glass lined the windows. An unearthly quiet hung about the place, as though excessive noise would taint this holy place.
A voice broke the silence.
"Well, hello there. What brings you here, young lady?"
I turned to the voice. The priest was older, nearly bald, with what hair was left long since turned gray. I nodded in his direction. "I suppose you could say that I am looking for answers."
"Well, I'd say you came to the right place. I'm Father DiMaggio." The priest moved towards me and offered his hand. Despite his apparent years, his gait was steady and his limbs thick. Age had not yet withered him. I clasped his hand.
"A pleasure to meet you, Father."
"So, what answers can I help you find?"
"I…" I frowned, pursing my lips as I thought through what I wanted to say. "I am having something of a crisis of faith. I grew up in a church, but recently looked around myself and saw nothing but worldliness and self-interest. Nothing of what the church was meant to be."
Father DiMaggio nodded slowly and sat down on one of the pews. "I hope you will excuse me. My knees aren't quite what they were anymore. However, as to your question, you would hardly be the first to come to a similar conclusion. At the end of the day, the Church, any church, is made up of people, and people aren't perfect. It is hard to grow up idolizing the organization only to one day realize its flaws."
"That is not particularly reassuring advice, Father."
"It's true though. We will never be perfect so long as we are on this mortal world. Only once our Father in Heaven claims us and purifies our souls and bodies and we are born anew will we be truly faultless."
Perhaps not even then. If man was already a flawed creation, would he become better for being reborn? Even if that were true, if all of man's impurities were washed clean, could he truly be said to be the same creature?
My lips grew tight in a pained grimace.
"If it is advice you want however, I suppose you have a few options."
"What options are those?"
"The first, obviously, is to decide the flaws are too much and to turn your back upon faith entirely."
I squinted at him. "Is that truly advice that you ought to be giving as a priest?"
Father DiMaggio laughed. "Perhaps not, but I wanted to be frank with you. Besides, it's just an option, not what I would recommend. If you were the sort to do that, I do not think you would be here asking questions now."
"Then what are my other options, as you see them?" I asked tersely.
"The second is to continue doing what you are now. Moving from church to church in search of perfection, never quite satisfied with what you find. For, no matter where you go, you will always be able to find some sort of flaw."
"I take it you do not recommend this either."
"I do not," he said. "It's one thing if they are teaching false doctrine or the differences are simply irreconcilable, but you will never be happy if you're simply seeking perfection."
"However bad the result, you can't change what's happened. Wanting to redo something because you couldn't do it is just childish selfishness!"
Was that what I was doing? Seeking perfection?
"Your third option is to confront it. Go and be the change you wish to see in the Church. Lead by example, with compassion and love."
"I am surprised, Father. None of your options included joining your church."
Father DiMaggio smiled and waved a hand as if to brush aside my comment. "You are welcome here, of course. I just want you to be sure that you are making your decisions for the right reasons, not because you are running away from something."
"Thank you. I shall have to think over the advice you gave me."
"Of course. The world will hardly end tomorrow. You've got your whole life ahead of you. Take your time and make sure your decisions are the right ones."
A sinking feeling curled beneath my breast, some part of me warning that perhaps I did not have as much time as the priest believed. That eventually tragedy would strike. I was here for a reason. Something loomed on the horizon. Something I would be needed for.
I turned to leave and Father DiMaggio called out to my retreating form. "Evening Mass begins in one hour if you would like to attend."
Stopping, I considered the offer. It would not hurt. I turned back into the church.
Gamemaster said:
You have activated my trap card. One of the odder parts of Type Moon lore is that Vivian and Morgan are alternate aspects / personalities of the same person.
It is July of 2010.
Choose someone to spend time with:
[ ] [Social] Victoria Dallon
[ ] [Social] Amy Dallon
[ ] [Social] Chelsea and Morgan
[ ] [Social] Erin Archelot
[ ] [Social] (Write-In)
Choose an activity to participate in:
[ ] [Activity] Sports
>You could use the exercise.
[ ] [Activity] Hunting
>Your father likes to go hunting in the woods outside the city every now and then. It hasn't ever been your thing before, but you could give it a try.
[ ] [Activity] Charity
>You could do volunteer work.
[ ] [Activity] Summer Classes
>You may have gotten into Arcadia, but it wouldn't hurt to get caught up more.
[ ] [Activity] Modeling
>It could earn you some money on the side if you do well.
[ ] [Activity] (Write-In)
Choose a way to advance yourself as a hero.
[ ] [Heroism] Practice
>You don't have much in the way of weapons right now, but you should work on improving your ability to fight anyways.
[ ] [Heroism] Design a name and costume.
>You can't just be X forever.
[ ] [Heroism] Look into types of Parahumans.
>If you're going out doing hero things, you're bound to run into them at some point. Knowing the difference between a brute and a breaker will probably be good.
[ ] [Heroism] Study your first aid.
>You might need to treat injured people in the future.
[ ] [Heroism] Look for trouble.
>You're not a hero if you aren't actually going out and saving people, right?
[ ] [Heroism] (Write-In)
Weapons Correction
So, I was going over some rulebooks and realized I made a mistake with regards to how daggers (and by extension the baton and bat) are handled. What I originally had pertained specifically to grappling rules, not just a general attack.
Dagger - Does Brawling damage + 2d6. Right now that would be 4+2d6 damage.
Baton - Does Brawling damage + 2d6. Right now that would be 4+2d6 damage.
Bat - This is going to be using ablated weapon rules (i.e. blunted tournament weapons). This just means it uses your full melee attack, but deals half damage. If 2h'ing, this still works out to 3d6 effectively at the moment.
Dagger - Does Brawling damage + 2d6. Right now that would be 4+2d6 damage.
Baton - Does Brawling damage + 2d6. Right now that would be 4+2d6 damage.
Bat - This is going to be using ablated weapon rules (i.e. blunted tournament weapons). This just means it uses your full melee attack, but deals half damage. If 2h'ing, this still works out to 3d6 effectively at the moment.